ABUJA: The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the commencement of nationwide enforcement operations against foreign nationals who overstayed their visas or violated entry conditions after the expiration of the Federal Government’s three-month visa amnesty programme.
The amnesty period, which allowed violators to regularise their immigration status without penalty, officially ended on October 1, 2025.
In a statement on Wednesday, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, warned that offenders now risk fines, deportation, and entry bans ranging from two years to a lifetime.
With the expiration of the amnesty period, effective October 1, 2025, enforcement actions will commence nationwide against foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa or violated their entry conditions, Akinlabi said.
The enforcement will cover a wide range of categories, including:
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Holders of expired Visa on Arrival (VoA).
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Expired single- and multiple-entry short visit or business visas.
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Expired Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits and Automated Cards (CERPAC).
The NIS outlined the following sanctions for offenders:
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Less than 3 months overstay: Removal, $15 daily fine, or a two-year entry ban.
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3 months to 1 year overstay: Removal, $15 daily fine, or a five-year entry ban.
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Over 1 year overstay: Removal, 10-year entry ban or permanent ban from Nigeria.
The Service stressed that the measures were necessary to protect national security, regulate lawful migration, and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s borders.
The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to enforcing the law, protecting national interests, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes, Akinlabi added.
The NIS urged foreign nationals still residing illegally in the country to comply with the law, warning that enforcement teams would begin operations immediately.
